Wielders of shadow magic are often able to manipulate and utilize ordinary
shadows for a variety of purposes. There are both combat and non-combat uses
for shadow magic.

An experience shadow mage may also be able to
communicate with shadows -- though it is the shadows that speak with the
mage -- and only of their own free will.

As shadows meld into other shadows, the power a shadow mage wields, either through
manipulating them or gleaning information from them, grows immensely.

It is possible, for example, for a mage several miles from home to manipulate
a connected series of shadows to directly affect things in the distant location.
He could learn from listening to the shadows who has entered his home, or even
perhaps cause an unlocked door so suddenly lock itself.

Shadow magic is not an officially-recognized magical discipline and there are
indeed very few shadow mages to be found these days.